7.31.2015

Because I got a job guys.Not just any job.A book job.Y'all are talking to the newest publicist at Entangled Publishing. Cue the flail again!

Ever since they launched in the summer of 2011 I've been a fan and have built wonderful relationships with their authors and publicity team. When a publicity position opened it seemed only natural that I put in a resume. Now I've got to take what I've learned as a blogger and translate that into marketing and publicity. I have a lot of learning to do but I'm excited to give it my best shot. It's a little scary and intimidating but exciting and inspiring and all those things that make a person flail like those wind sock thingies.

This will mean a much, much quieter RhiReading though. Which is okay. Feeling weird already but okay. I love you guys and the blog but with Punk starting school soon a paying job was coming anyway. I'd much rather work in the book world than in retail or something where I won't get to use my strongest talents. It's hard work but I can't think of many jobs I'd want more than this one!!! ☻

So what are we all reading this weekend? I've got a great duo I'm absorbed in right now. I've deep into the mysterious and delightful The Witch of Painted Sorrows (Daughters of La Lune) by M.J. Rose. It's pretty out of my usual genres but I was in need of something different. I'm always a little fascinated by 19th century France as a setting because my great-great grandmother was from that world but she passed away before I was old enough to get to know her.

My other read is more in my usual vein. It's no secret that I am obsessed with fairytales. I love them so stinking much and I love retellings and reimaginings even more. I requested that my library add an audio copy of Stray (Four Sisters Book 1) by Elissa Sussman to their collection and they bought it! So good so far, I am definitely digging this unusual mythology and the comparisons to The Handmaid's Tale are so apt. Good, good stuff if you want a read that has a feminist thread. I'll probably wind up buying a print copy for my collection I'm enjoying it that much.

And what pray tell are you reading? I very much enjoying knowing what other readers are loving and hating in their reads so if you are in the mood add on to your comment and tell me one of your pet peeves or something in a blurb that always makes you want to read a book. Have a fantastic weekend guys! -- Rhi

More than 20 authors will be sharing their best and worst pick-up lines during this EPIC eReader Giveaway! Win dozens of prizes, including swag packs, print or eBooks, gift cards, tote, posters, themed prizes, etc...and of course, a grand prize of four (4) eReaders!

I was a nerd in High School. I attended a math-and-science boarding school in SC, and was surrounded (finally!) by a bunch of other nerds (the story of how I ended up a historian is long and boring, so I’ll skip it).

Now, an author claiming to be a nerd is almost expected, what with geek-chic being a legit style choice these days. But I think I can back up my assertion with some examples.

For instance, we had a student-led pep-band for our basketball games, and one of our favorite chants went:

Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Sine,

Three-point-one-four-one-five-nine!

I had a suitemate who took the SATs nine times because she kept getting a 1590 out of 1600, and that was unacceptable. We had a cheerleading squad—also student-run—that we called the Proactive Synergy Coordinating Squad (PASCs), because we were far too full of ourselves to be mere “cheerleaders.” We souped-up our TI-81 calculators. We started our own cheese appreciation club for crying out loud.

So you’ll have to grant that we were nerdier than most.

Imagine a bunch of seventeen-year-old nerds, living among like-minded individuals for the first time in their lives. Romantic relationships were suddenly a glorious possibility, and we reveled in the chance to (*looks around furtively, giggles, pushes glasses further up her nose*) date. Most of these dating arrangements were made awkwardly (of course) and with great ceremony (of course), which resulted in some of the nerdiest pick-up lines ever.

I present to you the pick-up lines a bunch of teenaged math-and-science nerds come up with when they live together in a closed environment:

Chemistry: “Are you an exothermic reaction, honey? Because you’re making me hot.”

Calculus: “I think you must be the square root of two, ‘cause I’m getting irrational around you.”

To no one's surprise, McKee Baird never fought in the War Between the States. His fiercely independent nature made it impossible for him to take orders, and his close friendship with a black man stopped him from fighting for his father's South. But he's found his own way to rebel against the new government the United States has imposed on him... and right now, the only thing standing in the way of his smuggling business is the intriguingly uninhibited Becks Middleton.

Their chance meeting gave her the excitement she'd been craving...

Becks has a life of freedom away from Charleston society's rules. So of course she can't help but be drawn to the stimulating renegade her mother invites to visit Beckett Plantation, even if she doesn't approve of his profession. When the opportunity to seduce Mac arises, Becks takes that chance, planning on one night of passion before the dangerous smuggler leaves. But when she accidentally becomes part of his schemes, she can't reveal the truth without risking his freedom. Joining him on his ship, Becks will face not just her growing love for Mac but a confrontation with authorities that will threaten their very lives.

Can the two of them reconcile their differences before their future is stolen away?

Caroline grew up in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, and her love of the land is completely reflected in her upcoming book,The Brothers of Baird’s Cove: Renegade. Set on a SC sea island at the end of Reconstruction, Renegade addresses the tough issues many Southern historical romances skim over, like the true meanings of freedom and race, and exactly how many crabs it takes to make a batch of she-crab soup. There are zero pick-up lines in the book, nerdy or otherwise, because Mac doesn’t so much “pick-up” Becks as he does “catch her.” Repeatedly (she’s a bit clumsy). But that doesn’t stop them from enjoying everything the Lowcountry can offer them, and then some…

The best pick-up line I ever experienced was in college (so many years ago!). I was at a party and I knew the guy who was throwing the party pretty well since we’d been flirting back and forth for several weeks. He invited me to it and I just “knew” that this was the night when we would move beyond the friendship stage. The party was great and it stretched into the wee hours of the morning and as people left, I stayed behind but the guy didn’t approach me or make a move. He was pretty shy and quiet but I figured I’d read his signals wrong and I got ready to leave but his loudmouth roommate got me to stay as more and more people left.

I finally got fed up and I made my move to leave when the “shy guy” chased me out into the hallway and asked if I had enjoyed the party. I was a little irritated and I let him know that I didn't understand why he’d invited me to a party and then practically ignored me all night. He stepped forward and grabbed my hand, his cheeks red from his blush as he told me that he’d thrown the party just for me, the sole purpose was to get up the nerve to kiss me goodnight.

He leaned over and laid a kiss on me that made my toes curl. It was fabulous and we dated for a while after that.

Crown Prince Nicholas Lytton was never supposed to be ruler of Callanos. He was the “spare to the heir,” pursuing a decadent life of the rich and royal—extreme sports, physical pleasures, and glorious irresponsibility. Until his brother died. Now Nick is to be coronated king, and no one believes he's ready.

The best way to secure his crown is to do the unthinkable…find a queen.

While Isabel Reynolds works in the palace gardens, she has no desire to draw the attention of the way-too-flirty, would-be king. For she's not the woman everyone thinks she is. Even if she wanted—or was tempted by—the promise of love, it would only end in disaster. Because while Isabel may be able to catch a king, her secrets would only destroy him…

7.30.2015

You guys! If you didn't read my review of WRITTEN ON MY HEART yet please, please do it! Cole had some computer trouble so her tour doesn't have the nifty promo stuff she had planned but I loved the book so much I figured you should at least read my review. This is one of my new favorite books and I can't gush about it enough. -- Rhi

It's been six months since Ashlyn Daniels was kicked out of her home. Six
months since she stood up to her abusive stepfather and got a busted rib—and
seeing all her things set ablaze in a backyard bonfire—for her trouble.Never
going back. She doesn't need trouble...especially if trouble is tattoo
artist Lane Garrett, who's six-feet-plus of tattooed hotness and a complete
ass.

Lane has spent the last decade fighting to support his family. To protect
them. There's no room for romance, even with a fragile (yet amusingly feisty)
stunner...even if she somehow manages to invade his world and his heart.

But while some secrets are as visible as ink on the skin, others must
remain hidden at all costs...

7.29.2015

Today we’re revealing the cover of Kyla Linde’s The Affiliate! I am so excited about
this fantastic YA fantasy!!

Title: The Affiliate (Ascension, 1)

Author: K. A.
Linde

Release Day: September
15th

Genre: YA Fantasy

About The Affiliate:

On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern
Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm's lifelong plans come to fruition when
she's chosen as an Affiliate to the Queen.

Or so she thinks. When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter
and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world
of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene's position only grows
more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never
have...

King Edric himself.

Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of
freedom. Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A.
Linde’s new Ascension series.

“Do you enjoy the view?” King Edric asked.“The rains have made the gardens bloom, and it warms my
heart to see it so.”“It is good to know that the gardener approves of the work.”Cyrene laughed lightly. “I have not gardened in a month’s
time. I fear I can no longer call myself a gardener.”She remembered when she had told the king of her interest in
gardening at the last feast day almost a week ago. After that dance, Queen
Kaliana added a list of plants to her assignment, forcing her to reread every
page she had already dredged through for information. It had wasted two entire
days.“Perhaps I could change that,” he offered.He directed her down the staircase and into the courtyard
below lit solely by the setting sun in the distance.Her stomach churned at the thought of him offering assistance
to any of her needs. It was like what she had read in her children’s books of
the tales of Leifs, and how one request would be necessitated by a much larger
sacrifice. Her biggest sacrifice at the present moment was time. She wanted
nothing more than to finish her work on agriculture and prove that she could
get moved somewhere that involved traveling…and adventure.“On the contrary, My King, I am fully enthralled in my
Affiliate duties, and believe that gardening would only distract me from my
work.”“You cannot spare one afternoon to spend in my gardens?” His
blue-gray eyes searched her face. “If you have half the green thumb you
suggest, then it would be delightful to have you on the grounds.”

She swallowed. “I really have much work to accomplish before
we go on Processional.”“I could speak to the Queen and request it be lessened,” he
whispered into the evening air.“No!” It was the first time he had ever admitted to
discussing her with the Queen. Hearing him admit it aloud made her voice come
out strangled.Cyrene missed her footing on the pebble path and stumbled
forward a pace. Edric steadied her. He turned his body to face her in the
middle of the garden, and her breath caught at the sight of him in the setting
sun. “You do not wish me to speak to the Queen?”“I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.”“I cannot forgive that which I do not understand. Did the Queen
somehow offend you?”Cyrene shook her head. “I fear that the Queen does not…like
me.”Edric laughed softly, taking one of her hands in his own.
“Oh Cyrene, I believe that the Queen likes no one but herself.”Cyrene found that she, too, could laugh at his comment.“Now, tell me what the Queen has done to make you believe
that she dislikes you.”“It’s nothing, my King.” She turned her face away from his.
She couldn’t possibly tell him the real reason.“Enough to infuriate you, which is enough for me.”When she looked back up into his blue-gray eyes she felt
that same magnetic pull between them. Somehow she had not realized how close
they were standing. His hand felt warm against her bare skin. His body only a
few inches away from her. His breath hot on her face. Her heart contracted in
her chest, and she forced herself to respond. “She speaks of…of your interference, as if…as if you…”Time stretched between them, and she thought for a split
second he might move even closer to her. She was rooted in place, captivated by
his gaze.“Yes?” His other hand drifted to her waist, and she was
suddenly on fire.Their breath mingled together as she murmured, “As if you
favor me.”“And do you think that?”“I…”“Yes?” he asked, stepping closer.“I think you have your queen,” she breathed.

About K. A. Linde:

USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde is the author of The
Affiliate, the first book in the Ascension Series. As a military brat, she traveled the world
with her family, imaginary friends, and ever-increasing supply of books. She has spent much of her life dreaming up new
worlds and characters and forcing them into uncomfortable, usually life-threatening
scenarios. After graduating from the
University of Georgia with a masters degree in political science, she began
spending every waking hour putting those characters onto paper.

When not writing, she spends her time dancing, collecting
paperbacks in the hopes of filling a Beauty and the Beast style library one
day, traveling to visit her friends who live all over the country, and still
reading anything she can get her hands on.
She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two puppies,
Lucy and Riker, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

7.28.2015

Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. HowardYoung Adult, Fantasy, Classic Retelling, ReimaginingEbook/Print/Audio (403 pages, AMULET BOOKS)This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl's pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers--precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now. When her mother's mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice's tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice's mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.Author Site:website

A wild and wondrous reimagining. (5 stars)

There are a handful of classics that I have a deep soft spot for and anything Alice always catches my eye. I've wanted to read Splintered since before it came out but somehow managed to not get to it until I finally bought an audio copy. I'm actually really glad I did as the narration was very good and I felt more free to just let my mind take over the painting pictures part of reading. If ever there was a classic retelling or reimagining that was more suited to letting the mind wander I don't know what it could be.

Howard's reimagining is darkly twisted but not in the usual horror or gothic stylings many writers and artists choose. It's more earthy and surreal and works to delicious effect. I can see why so many people loved it. I loved it. Occasionally it felt a little bit forced, in particular the romantic elements, but knowing there are further installments I feel confident that I'll enjoy seeing where this rabbit hole goes. It's wicked and weird, sexy and sweet.

If you've held back from getting to this series like I have I'd certainly recommend giving it that shot. Especially if you're a fan of all things Alice.

7.27.2015

Baby's Got Bite (Take It Like A Vamp #2) by Candace HavensParanormal Romance, Category Romance, Werewolves, FaeEbook/Print (166 pages, COVET)Some consequences bite...big time.Bennett Langdon has a firm no-relationships policy. Still, it doesn't stop her from hooking up with a super-sexy bad boy at her best friend's wedding. After all, it's only one night-what harm could it do? Ten weeks later, a pregnant Bennett has her answer...Linc Monahan can't believe it. This wasn't supposed to happen. He's a werewolf, and shouldn't be able to father a child with a human. Now Linc has to find some way to tell Bennett that not only do werewolves exist, but she's about to have a baby with one.But when word of their surprise conception gets out, the fur hits the fan. There are people who don't want this baby to be born-even if it means killing. Now Bennett and Linc aren't just fighting each other...they're fighting for their lives.Author Site:website

Linc finally meets his match! (4 stars)

I think everyone who read and enjoyed TAKE IT LIKE A VAMP has probably been anxiously waiting for Linc to get his own story and hooray it's finally here! Better yet, it's an accidental pregnancy story which is always good for making things complicated. If you love some complicated family dynamics Havens has a treat for you in BABY'S GOT BITE.

Since I was looking forward to Linc's book I hadn't bothered to read the blurb before I read the book. So I feel a little bit like a jerk to note that I feel it's a bit misleading. There's certainly an element of tension but I never really felt like Linc, Bennett, or the baby were in any danger. However, the reason Bennett was able to get pregnant with Linc's baby drove a lot of the chaos between them and was a really enjoyable bit of world building. I kind of wish there had been just a bit more about it because I love when a paranormal romance series' world gets a nice expansion with story potential.

If you love pregnancies in romance and enjoy a good dabble into the paranormal shelves but on the lighter side I think you'll really enjoy BGB, you don't even really have to have read the previous book in the series, though I think you'd be glad you did. Sweet, funny, and a quick read.

7.24.2015

I'm having a pretty good one. Except for Thursday.Thursday was sucktastic. Short story is that sometimes sellers and brands ask for honest reviews and then get pissed off when you do just that only it's a 2 star. Even if it's remarkably positive toward the product itself. They wanted me to change my rating on Amazon, I refused but offered to remove the whole review. They chose the latter. I chose to roll with the punches and take it down from Amazon but my blog is my blog and they can kiss my ass it's staying up.

Today I'm out in my garage trying to host a garage sale. Not a big fan of strangers and haggling but I could use even the few extra dollars I might earn from it thanks to the expensive vet visit last week. Plus, it'd be nice to get all of the stuff we no longer need out of the garage finally. Wish me happy sales!

Reading wise I've done a ton of audio reading while getting the garage ready for the big sale and as luck would have it my library hold for Keira Cass' THE HEIR popped up! So I'm probably listening to it while I melt in the hot garage. I'm actually really enjoying it. I was afraid it would be weird reading about characters that were (in my mind anyway) just young adults that are now parents with a child going through the Selection. My other read is an adult one that I feel like I've waited an eternity for, BABY GOT BITE by Candace Havens. I might not be named in the dedication but I'm one of those fangirls who was eager to see Linc get a book after enjoying him in Take It Like a Vamp.

I know I said last week I would tell you guys what my secret news is this week but I'm going to postpone it until next Friday when it's been made official and half of the awesome people I know aren't away at RWA. That way it can be a better celebration and I will hopefully have at least had a chance to tell my own parents. Not that their thoughts matter on the news but well I'm sure they'd be offended the internet knew before they did. lol

As usual if you have a book you're enjoying this weekend leave a comment and tell me what it is. Even if it's not one of my genres I read it's always interesting to see what people are filling their minds with. And who knows, you might convert me to your genre! Wishing you a marvelous weekend. ♥ -- Rhi

7.22.2015

Maid-of-Honor Dani Brown can handle anything that comes her way when it comes to her best friend’s wedding. That is, until the bride asks for a huge favor-Dani needs to distract the best man, who happens to be Dani’s ex. The ex she has fantasized dismembering for a year now. The ex she’ll have to suck it up and play nice with if this wedding is to go off without a hitch.

Businessman Jamie Kingsland is back in Seattle for a wedding. There’s just one problem – the maid of honor wants him dead. Except she doesn’t. Even though he knows he broke her heart last year when things got too serious and he panicked and left, she’s being way too nice about it now. And it scares him.

Something is up with his favorite bridesmaid, and he’s determined to find out what…

7.21.2015

Happy Tuesday RhiReaders! Today I have PNR author Lia Davis visiting with an excellent post about writing multicultural paranormal romance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here's to the beauty of diversity in romance! ♥ -- Rhi

Writing multicultural paranormal romance

by Lia Davis

I love reading, writing, and learning about diverse cultures and
people. Paranormal romance allows me to mix many cultures together. I love
seeing the differences, the conflicts, and the characters’ ability to find
their balance in their world. It goes great with romance and the HEA we all
crave in the end.

I write with an open mind and the purpose to create a heartfelt,
sexy, and suspenseful love story. It doesn’t matter who my characters are when
they start out. All that counts is who they become in the end. Age, skin color,
religion, ethnicity, and other differences don’t run the story.

Interracial and multicultural romances show that love also has no
color preference. Humans, shifters, vamps, demons, angels, or other creatures
don’t choose who they fall in love with. Fate does. Or maybe it’s a chemical in
their brain that just clicks when they meet the one they belong with. Love is
beautiful, magickal, and hard. It’s those struggles that keep us turning the pages.

In Jaguar’s Judgment the heroine, Sable, is a jaguar of mixed
blood. Her father is white and her mother is of African decedent. Sable had
never known her so she doesn’t know her culture.

The hero, Jared, human half is white and before he settled in Ashwood
Falls was a loner. His jaguar still likes to roam alone. It was on one of those
roamings he met Sable, unknowing she was the daughter of his enemy.

Their major conflict was the fact that Sable was the enemy. Her
parents were responsible for so many deaths among the shifter communities.
Jared wanted no part of her world, so he left, breaking the bond.

Fifteen years later she returns to him, knowing what she must do
in order to make a safe life for her son.

Synopsis:

Sable Darwin has run from her destiny for too long. Stepping away from her role as Beta of the Onyx Pack, she chooses to take her chances and face judgment for her crimes. Her only hope for survival is to trust the male who ripped her heart out and turned his back on her so many years before.

Jared Nickels’ only loyalty is to the Alphas of Ashwood Falls. When he sees Sable again after fifteen years, he can’t stop himself from touching her. Through his Justice gift to see others’ pasts, he learns she’s not as guilty as he’d assumed. She’s actually one of the biggest victims in the war that her parents started.

When the war shifts in favor of the enemy, Sable and Jared must band together to put an end to the threat. Or die trying.

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and three equally special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, and a lover of romance. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very active imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing is stress reliever that allows her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.
Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

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